Taunton area residents running to take a stand

Saturday

Apr 12, 2014 at 10:50 PMApr 14, 2014 at 3:18 PM

Marc Larocque Enterprise Staff Writer @Enterprise_Marc

Taunton’s Elizabeth Dias sat 600 feet away from the bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon last year, watching all day while dining with friends at a Boylston Street restaurant before scared bystanders began rushing away from the scene and others scrambled to aid the victims.

A runner in her free time, Dias said the event had a tremendous impact on her, and when the opportunity arose for her to run in the 2014 Boston Marathon, she decided it was time to take a stand against the fear that the bombing evoked and join the race.

“I thought I’d take the challenge and honor the victims,” said Dias, a first-time marathon runner at age 48. “It’s a lot of work, and it’s time consuming. But here I am. I was there. I experienced that day. … This is definitely a once in a lifetime thing for me. It’s going to be an amazing experience to run this year.”

Many of the runners from Taunton who are competing in this year’s Boston Marathon said that they are motivated to participate because of the bombing last year, which took three lives and injured 264 others, including 16 victims who lost limbs. There are 19 runners from Taunton who have signed up this year, along with 15 from Dighton, Berkley and Rehoboth.

Dias said after the Boylston Street finish line area was evacuated, she became glued to the news like everyone else.

“I was just sort of thinking about everything happening that day, the craziness of that whole day,” said Dias, who has worked as a professional buyer for companies like Hasbro. “Later, seeing what happened, and Martin Richard, the little boy who was killed … it was one of those days you don’t forget. One thing that haunts me is the family that went there to see someone run and they went home without a son and a daughter without a leg, just because they went out for a family day.”

Afterward, Dias learned about One Run for Boston, a cross-country race that she took part in last year and again this year when it was organized again, to benefit victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.

From that, she made a connection with a woman who was part of a team of marathon runners, who didn’t get to finish the race last year. The charity group from Newton-Wellesley Hospital had an extra spot in the marathon, which they offered to her.

“It’s time to take the day back and make it belong to Boston and the runners again,” Dias said. “It’s almost like a closure thing. I remember being very angry. I remember being angry that these two people had just ruined that tradition. I just felt like … I want to do this. Even before I had been offered the bid, my friends and I decided right that day of the bombing, we decided next year we are going to the same place. We are not going to be scared off.”

Jason Dunham, a Taunton resident who works as a customer service representative, had similar feelings about running in this year’s Boston Marathon.

“Watching all that stuff last year … it made me first just want to do something about it,” said Dunham, 36, who is also running in his first marathon, raising money for the Greg Hill Foundation. “And the thought crossed my mind that I could run … but I didn’t really plan on it until the opportunity fell right in front of me. Without a doubt, the tragedy motivated me. I was very upset.”

Dunham, who was new to running before the bombing, said that he was angry about the bombing — and remains angry about it — but decided to channel his energy for a good cause. He started running 5K races and working to improve his stamina every day. Dunham said that the fundraising and training has been a life-changing journey.

“I’ve been blown away by people’s generosity,” Dunham said. “I feel very grateful that I’m physically able and lucky to do this. It’ll probably be the biggest Boston Marathon ever.”

Jillian Corrao, 33, of Taunton, was one of the runners unable to finish the race last year after the bombs went off.

“It’s certainly going to be an emotional race this year, said Corrao, who made it to the 22-mile mark last year before she was stopped. “It’s not only going to be the goal to complete a marathon, but to stand up and continue doing what we love, despite all the tragedy that took place last year, and to do it for all the people who can’t do it. A lot was taken from people last year. But one thing you can’t take is the spirit of the running community.”

Corrao said that she is looking forward to finally completing her first marathon and paying tribute to the victims of the bombing in her own way.

“I hope all the people who went last year are there and happy and able to enjoy the experience, despite what it was last year,” she said. “The best way you can carry on the tradition and honor those who are affected is to continue on and enjoy it for those who can’t be there to enjoy it. They will never take the wind out of our sails.”

Maria Petrelli, a guidance counselor at Martin Middle School, was even closer to the finish line last year before the race was called. She was at the 25.5-mile mark, less than a mile away from the finish line, when the tragedy occured.

Petrelli said she is running in honor of victims of cancer, in addition to the nurses, doctors, volunteers, and everyone that helped out, all the people who died and the victims who lost limbs and continue to struggle.

“The community came together after the bombing and showed what Boston really is,” said Petrelli, 32. “It came together and it can’t be stopped. And even in such tragedy, triumph comes through and I feel like the ‘Boston Strong’ saying has really brought everyone together.”